Agenda and minutes

Special, Education Skills and Culture Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 1st November, 2021 2.00 pm

Venue: Remotely via Teams

Contact: Charlotte Davies 01639 763745 Email: c.l.davies2@npt.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

The following members made a declaration of interest:

Cllr Mathew Crowley

Re:

Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2022-2032 as he is a Governor at Awel y Môr Primary School and Tywyn Primary School but has dispensation to speak and vote.

Cllr Sian Harris

Re:

Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2022-2032 as she is a Governor at Creunant Primary School and a relative works in Ysgol Cwm Brombil but has dispensation to speak and vote.

Cllr Jane Jones

Re:

Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2022-2032 as she is a Governor at The Federated Primary Schools of the Upper Afan Valley but has dispensation to speak and vote.

Cllr Dennis Keogh

Re:

Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2022-2032 as he is a Governor at Ysgol Cwm Brombil but has dispensation to speak and vote.

Cllr Rhidian Mizen

Re:

Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2022-2032 as he is a Governor at Cwmafan Primary School and Ysgol Cwm Brombil but has dispensation to speak and vote.

Cllr Susanne Renkes

Re:

Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2022-2032 as she is a Governor at Baglan Primary School and Blaenbaglan Primary School but has dispensation to speak and vote.

Cllr Sonia Reynolds

Re:

Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2022-2032 as she is a Governor at YGG Gawun-Cae-Gurwen and a trustee at Canolfan Maerdy but has dispensation to speak and vote.

Cllr Dave Whitelock

Re:

Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2022-2032 as he is a Governor at Ysgol Cwm Brombil but has dispensation to speak and vote.

Cllr Marcia Spooner

Re:

Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2022-2032 as she is a Governor at Rhos Primary but has dispensation to speak and vote.

Cllr Mark Protheroe

 

Re:

Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2022-2032 as he is a Governor at

Cefn Saeson Comprehensive School and

Melin Primary School but has dispensation

to speak and vote.

Cllr Alan Lockyer

Re:

Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2022-2032 as he is a Governor at Gnoll Primary and YGG Castell Nedd but has dispensation to speak and vote.

 

 

 

2.

Pre-Decision Scrutiny

     i.        To select appropriate items from the Cabinet Board agenda for pre-decision scrutiny (Cabinet Boards reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members)

Minutes:

Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2022-2032

 

Members received a brief overview of the Neath Port Talbot draft Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2022-2032. Following a request to sought approval to go out to consult, as detailed within the circulated report.

 

Members of the Committee welcomed Cllr.S.Paddison to the Committee as she was a previous members of the Welsh Language Task and Finish group. Members discussed the promotional elements of the welsh language. It was noted that officers ensure that parents/guardians are provided with the utmost knowledge and information to enable them to make an informed decision on children going to welsh medium schools. 

 

Member’s commended the plan of the 3 potential additional Welsh Medium schools.

 

Discussions took place around the difficulties of recruiting Welsh medium Teachers. Members were reassured that the three schools would be introduced on an introductory basis therefore, enabling the schools to slowly build and recruit when required.

 

Members suggested that parents be involved in future forums to discuss their personal experiences on their children attending welsh medium schools with an English first language background. As a result encourage further parents to engage.

 

Members queried whether the 3 schools would be super schools and would this have an effect on future school closures. Members were reassured that the 3 welsh medium schools would be additions to the current system and not cause any future closures.

 

Following Scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposal to be considered by the Cabinet Board.